"Banh Chung" - the soul of Vietnamese New Year

"Banh Chung" (square glutinous rice cake) is a traditional cake of Vietnamese people in Tet holidays.
"Banh Chung" (square glutinous rice cake) is a traditional cake of Vietnamese people in Tet holidays.

For the Vietnamese, making Banh Chung is an ideal way to express gratitude to their ancestors and homeland.

“Banh Chung” was invented by the 18th prince of Hung King in the contest of looking for his successor.

Accordingto the legend, 3,000-4,000 years ago, Prince Lang Lieu made round andsquare cakes, with the round Day cake symbolising the sky and the squareChung cake, the Earth (under the ancient Vietnamese perception), asofferings on the occasion of Spring.

In the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Banh Chung has square shape to reflect the Earth.

Since the cakes he offered were of special meaning and delicious taste, Lang Lieu was selected to be the next king.

Sincethen, in honor of this, Vietnamese people always make and have this forthe Lunar New Year. Chung cake has become the most famous andirreplaceable traditional Vietnamese food in Tet holiday.

Thislegend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient tradition aswell as the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasises the importantrole of rice and nature in the water rice culture.

In contrast tothe fast food in modern life, the process of making Banh Chung istime-consuming and requires the joint work of several people.

Mainingredients are glutinous rice, pork, and green beans wrapped square inbroad-blade leaves that will give the rice a green color after about 12hours' boiling. The wrapping power must be neither too tight nor tooloose.

The food has a high level of nutrition withan original tasty flavor and may be kept for a long time. Eating BanhChung with vegetable pickles will bring you unforgettable taste.

In the traditional conception of Vietnamese people, the process ofmaking Banh Chung is an opportunity for the family’s reunion. Sittingaround the fire, family members tell one another the past stories andare ready for a New Year with best wishes.

Nowadays, in some big cities, the business lifestyle of modern societyprevent people from preparing the cake, however the habit of worshipancestors with it never changes. It is the evidence of the Vietnameseloyalty and deep gratitude to ancestors.-VNA

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